Section 627 - Production and inspection of books where offence suspected. - Companies Act, 1956

Production and inspection of books where offence suspected. 627. (1) If, on an application made to a Judge of a High Court in Chambers [1] [or Tribunal, as the case may be] by the Public Prose cutor of the State or by the Central Government [2] , [3] [or by a company prosecutor appointed under section 624A] it is shown that there is reasonable cause to believe that any person has, while he was an officer of a company, committed an offence in connection with the management of the company's affairs, and that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found in any books or papers of or under the control of the company, an order may be made ___ (i) authorising any person named therein to inspect the said books or papers or any of them for the purpose of investigating, and obtaining evidence of the commission of, the offence; or (ii) requiring the [4] [* * *] manager of the company or such other officer thereof as may be named in the order, to produce the said books or papers or any of them to a person, and at a place and time, named in the order. (2) Sub-section (1) shall apply also in relation to any books or papers of a person carrying on the business of banking so far as they relate to the company's affairs, as it applies to any books or papers of or under the control of the company, except that no such order as is referred to in clause (ii) thereof shall be made by virtue of this sub-section. (3) No appeal shall lie from the decision of a Judge of the High Court [5] [or Tribunal, as the case may be] under this section. ------------------------------------------ Notes:- [1] Inserted by the Companies (Second Amendment) Act, 2002, w.e.f. a date yet to be notified. [2] Powers delegated to Regional Directors vide Notification No. GSR 288(E), dated 31-5-1991. [3] Inserted by the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1960, Act 65 of 1960, section 204. [4] Omitted by the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2000, w.e.f 13-12-2000, as provisions relating to managing agents, secretaries and treasures had become redundant after abolition of system by Act 17 of 1969. [5] Inserted by the Companies (Second Amendment) Act, 2002, w.e.f. a date yet to be notified.